The Australian Government is pushing for a quarantine exemption from the UK’s imminent 14-day isolation period, expected to be announced over the next few days.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Government has requested to be excluded from the United Kingdom’s impending coronavirus quarantine restrictions, due to the low rate of cases here in Australia.
The UK Government is likely to reveal its plan to temporarily isolate recent international arrivals over the next few days.
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What’s the plan?
The UK’s decision to keep its borders open throughout the ordeal has been rather controversial.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet is split between those who want a tough system, with no exemptions, and those who believe introducing border restrictions this late on won’t really help the situation anyway.
Saying that, it does look likely that the UK will put a two-week quarantine on anybody who arrives from overseas, to try and prevent a “second wave” of the COVID-19 virus.
However, according to reports, Aussie officials are asking the Brits very nicely, if we can all dodge the two-week iso time on arrival into the UK.
Australia are in a pretty good position at the moment, with a low case of cases within our borders and a close and committed relationship with the UK.
What does this mean for us?
Nothing is set in stone just yet, but if Australia does become exempt from the 14-day isolation period, it means that if you needed to get over to the UK for some reason, you can go about your life as normal once you’ve landed.
Also, if it goes ahead, it looks like it would be a one-way relationship, as it is highly unlikely that Australia will do the same for anybody travelling from the UK.
According to the tourism minister, Simon Birmingham, “restrictions on travel in and out of Australia will remain for the foreseeable future.”
While we might not yet be able to pack our bags for an epic UK road trip just yet, this news offers us a glimmer of hope; the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel.
Click here for Australian travel advice.
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